Big Muddy Blues Festival Returns Labor Day Weekend

The 17th annual Big Muddy Blues Festival will be held Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 1-2, on Laclede’s Landing with three stages and 30 bands.

This year’s festival features an impressive lineup of Grammy winners, Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Famers, talented homegrown blues acts, as well as tributes to music icons Chuck Berry and Etta James.

Big Muddy Blues Festival is a celebration of the rich history of the Blues genre.

Headlining act is Dr. John, whose new album, “Locked Down,” was recently named by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the best of 2012. Dr. John will close out Big Muddy on the Budweiser Main Stage (700 N. First St.) at 9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2.

Also performing on the Budweiser Main Stage are Aaron Kamm & The One Drops and the Funky Butt Brass Band. Each will be making their Big Muddy debut on Sunday along with Yugoslavian blues singer/guitarist Ana Popovic.

On Saturday, the widely popular Royal Southern Brotherhood (with Cyril Neville, Devon Allman and St. Louisan, Mike Zito) will serve as the lead-in for headlining act, Grammy winning songwriter and guitarist, Joe Louis Walker.

The two satellite stages on Second Street (at the intersections of Lucas and Morgan) will remain free both days. Appearing on those stages will be a variety of local artists, including Miss Jubilee & The Humdingers, Marquise Knox, Cee Cee James and Jimmy Lee Kennett Band.